The mission undertaken by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and by the Conference of Deans of Italian Universities (CRUI) has officially started at the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
    Eight agreements and Memoranda of understanding between Italian and Japanese universities were presented to mark the occasion.
    During the ceremony attended by the Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani, and by Professor Giovanna Iannantuoni, the president of CRUI and dean of the University Milano Bicocca, the University of Siena announced the signature of four protocols: a Memorandum of understanding and a student mobility agreement with Shimonoseki City University; and two accords with Meikai University and Asahi University.
    The University of Florence announced the signature of a Memorandum with Keio University and an agreement for cultural and scientific cooperation with Osaka Metropolitan University.
    In addition, Rome's Sapienza University signed a Memorandum with Kansai Medical University of Hirata (Osaka) while the University Ca' Foscari of Venice announced that it has finalized an agreement with Kansai Medical University.
    The themes of the accords, which were also developed thanks to the synergic work of the Italian embassy in Tokyo, included the mobility of students and researchers, joint ventures, joint research programs, and the organization of joint workshops and seminars.
    In addition to the accords, the Ministry of University and Research, in cooperation with CRUI, selected 40 students among 700 candidates from all over Italy, divided into two groups for each trimester of Expo, who will participate as trainees in the activities of the Italy Pavilion.
    "Italian universities strengthen their role as an extraordinary bridge between Italy and Japan", said the Minister of University and Research Annamaria Bernini.
    "We are proud of signing eight protocols of agreement that open unprecedented borders for student mobility and joint research.
    "Italian universities once again prove their ability to look at the future, mixing tradition and innovation", noted Bernini.
    "Thanks to the MUR and CRUI mission, the Italian university system is represented in its entirety at the Italy Pavilion", stated Vattani, stressing that the announcement of the signature of the protocols of agreement confirms that Expo is a "strategic platform for the promotion of our universities".
    "Italian research is at an excellent level and, with the experience of the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), it has proven that the young are the right levers for innovation and growth", said CRUI President Giovanna Iannantuoni.
    Japan and Italy "have many similar challenges and objectives on the horizon", she added.
    "I am certain that our bilateral relations in the academic and scientific sector will be able to growth at a fast pace over the next few years", commented Italy's ambassador to Japan, Gianluigi Benedetti.
    Benedetti added that he is "firmly convinced that academic and scientific cooperation is a cornerstone of the growth of stronger and deeper international relations".
    Such a vision was also expressed by Professor Masato Fujisawa, vice president of the Japan Association of National Universities.
    "Over the years, Japan and Italy have deepened reciprocal exchanges in the sectors of education, science and technology", stressed the academic, recalling a survey in 2022 on inter-university exchange agreements that reported 480 such accords between Japanese and Italian universities, proving "the active role of students and researchers".
    The vice president moreover noted that, "according to the Japan Student Service's data from May 2024, 820 Italian students were living in Japan in 2023 and 1,642 Japanese students were studying in Italy in 2023".

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